A peace liturgy

This liturgy was written as a response to the thanksgiving service for the life of Alan Kreider held on 11.07.17 in London at Bloomsbury Baptist Church.

 

A peace liturgy for families and children

(You will need as many stones as family members, a candle or peace-symbol of your choosing)

Blessed are the peacemakers

for they will be called children of God.

Come, children, listen closely;
Let me tell you about God worship.
Who yearns to have a good life, who desires many happy days?

Guard your tongue from saying evil things.
You must not tell lies.
Turn your back on sin and do good.
Look for peace and embrace it!

God keeps an eye out for his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.

But the Lord of Peace is against those who do evil.
He makes the world forget them.
Is anyone crying for help?

God is listening, ready to rescue you.
If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

Psalm 34.11-18 paraphrase

Thanksgiving

It is good to give thanks to God

to sing praises to you, God of life.

(Use one of the phrases, or free prayers of thanksgiving)

I think you’re great because…

One thing that you’ve done that I like is…

You made me happy when…

Confession

Loving and patient God,

we are sorry for the mistakes we have made.

Take these stones as a sign of our wrongdoing,

Soak us in your laundry and we’ll come out clean.
Fill us with your Spirit to keep following Jesus.

(Each take a stone and place it around the candle)

Readings (Select one reading from “Take our Moments and Our Days” or similar)

Jesus said, I am the bread of life.

Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Lord Jesus, you have the words of eternal life.

Prayer

God of justice, peace, and joy. We bring our prayers to you knowing that you listen. Help us to be the answers to our prayers.

We pray for ourselves and our families…

We pray for our community and our neighbours, both near and far…

We pray for peace for the warring, justice for the downtrodden, and healing for all creation…

You bless the peacemakers; they will be called your children.